Springdale Police Officer Irvin Morris and Captain Matt Chacanaca, a paramedic with the Springdale Fire Department, collaborated on a live-saving kit that could be used to save K-9s from an accidental opioid overdose.

Law enforcement officers in Arkansas carry naloxone with them during drug searches, when K-9s can be sent into houses or cars to find illegal narcotics.

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Morris said he worried that his K-9, Nomos, could potentially come into contact with strong opioids, such as fentanyl, when performing drug searches.

The kit is compact and can be carried in a pocket or a backpack. It includes two Narcan doses for K9s based on their size and weight. The Narcan can administered either through the nose or as a shot.

Morris said that oftentimes the department responds to calls that are too far from a veterinary clinic. He said using Narcan on scene can help during those critical moments after a K-9 comes into contact with a strong opioid.

Morris and Chacanaca said that handlers also take a training course on how to administer the naloxone to dogs.

Chacanaca said it the cost of each kit is around $100.

They hope to expand the program to other police K-9 departments across the state.